2018 Bennett Valley “Radiant Ridge Vineyard” Mourvèdre
100% Mourvèdre
In our last offer, I wrote in the description for our Radiant Ridge Vineyard Syrah how we decided to pick the Mourvèdre and Syrah at Radiant Ridge Vineyard separately in 2018. In the past, the two varieties were always picked at the same time to conferment for the Integral. We had intended on blending the Syrah and Mourvèdre post-fermentation to create a 2018 Integral but the individual components were so delicious on their own, especially the Mourvèdre, that we just couldn’t do it. Hence, a new wine for us! Our last fruit of the year, coming in on October 27th, we opted for 20% whole cluster to add spice and structure. After 21 days on the skins, it was pressed to all French oak, only 14% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note:
Very dark vibrant purple-garnet. A good-size pour is nearly opaque. A knockout nose of black fruits, cinnamon bark, pepper, and earth. This is Mourvèdre at its most wild and untamed best! On the palate, medium full-bodied with flavors of black cherry, earth, tree bark, and whole-cluster spice. Finishes long and lip-smackingly tannic. This is certainly the darkest expression of Mourvèdre we have produced to date, more akin to Bandol or some of the Mourvèdre-dominated cuvées of Châteauneuf-du-Pape than our more Burgundian Two Acres or Bedrock Mourvèdre. Very, very age-worthy and a wine that I am positively giddy to be introducing. Drink 2025 through 2040. (MRO - 01/05/21)